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SCHOTT celebrates 20th birthday of the special technical glass BOROFLOAT®

World’s first production line for floated borosilicate glass went into operation in Jena, Germany in 1993, creating a successful product with a broad range of applications.

The international technology group SCHOTT is celebrating a milestone anniversary: The 20th birthday of the world's first microfloat facility for manufacturing floated borosilicate glass, which was put into operation on November 2, 1993. The high-tech glass BOROFLOAT® is used all over the world in a wide range of applications, including fire-resistant glazing, safety glazing for armored limousines, lighting technology, internal panes for pyrolysis ovens, and optical filters.

Knowledge of high-temperature melting and the use of high-quality ingredients characterize SCHOTT’s floated specialty glass, better known as BOROFLOAT® borosilicate glass. Photo: SCHOTT.

“Borosilicate glass is one of the main pillars for the SCHOTT site in Jena. It helps to secure the future of our site,” said Dr. Lutz Wehmeier, Managing Director of SCHOTT Technical Glass Solutions GmbH. Manufacturing high-quality, floated borosilicate glass is made possible not only by our unique knowledge of high-temperature melting and forming processes, but also by using special raw ingredients.

Today, this specialty glass product is known around the world and put to use in many different industries. Thanks to its myriad characteristics, like resistance to extreme temperatures, high mechanical load-bearing capacity, excellent surface quality, and outstanding optical properties, it is ideally suited for use in a wide variety of different applications.

“BOROFLOAT® borosilicate glass is truly multitalented. We have developed a great deal of application-specific expertise over the last 20 years and provide extensive customer support,” explained Thomas Kloss in reference to the company's recipe for success. The sales manager for BOROFLOAT® glass has been with the company since the product was first introduced. “I can still remember when we put our first tank into operation and began manufacturing this product,” added Kloss.

Background information:
With float technology, the liquid glass floats as a continuous ribbon on molten tin. What is unique about this process is that there is no need to grind the glass because it takes on an extremely smooth, mirror-like surface.

About SCHOTT
SCHOTT is an international technology group with more than 125 years of experience in the areas of specialty glasses and materials and advanced technologies. SCHOTT ranks number one in the world with many of its products. Its core markets are the household appliance, pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics, transportation, and architecture industries. The company is strongly committed to contributing to its customers’ success and making SCHOTT an important part of people’s lives with its high-quality products and intelligent solutions. SCHOTT is committed to managing its business in a sustainable manner and supporting its employees, society, and the environment. The SCHOTT Group maintains close proximity to its customers with manufacturing and sales units in all major markets. Its workforce of around 16,000 employees generated worldwide sales of $2.6 billion (approximately 2.0 billion euros) for the 2011/2012 fiscal year.